In the spring of 2016, the life of 29-year-old Landray M. Harris, a Black / African American male, was violently cut short in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the evening of May 14th, Harris was in his car when he was ambushed by a robbery crew. The assailants targeted him under the belief that he was in possession of money or drugs.
The robbery quickly escalated into a fatal encounter. One of the attackers, Shundale Joshua, pulled open the door to Harris's vehicle.
Almost immediately, another man, Akeam Williams, opened fire with a 9mm handgun, striking Harris. The car, now without a driver in control, reversed and crashed into a tree. Landray Harris sustained two gunshot wounds and died from his injuries at the scene at Richards and Hadley.
The investigation that followed uncovered a series of violent crimes orchestrated by a "robbery crew" that targeted drug dealers. A confidential informant provided crucial information to the police, identifying Shundale Joshua, Akeam Williams, and Herman Highshaw as being involved in the plot to rob Harris. According to the informant, the plan was for Williams to be the gunman while Highshaw and another individual, Demarion Allen, would act as getaway drivers. Although Highshaw maintained he was not present during the murder, investigators believe he was the one who suggested Harris as a target.
The legal proceedings brought some measure of justice for Harris's death. Shundale Joshua pleaded guilty to felony murder and armed robbery. In exchange for his cooperation, which was instrumental in dismantling the robbery crew and solving other homicides, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Akeam Williams also faced charges for his role as the gunman. The charge of felony murder against Herman Highshaw in connection with Harris's death was ultimately dismissed after he pleaded guilty to another homicide. Within hours of Harris's murder, Williams and Joshua were involved in another armed robbery and kidnapping.
